You’re Invited: More Celebratory Events on Canada Day in Toronto July 1, 2012

This video presents “Canada day 2011-Mel lastman square, Toronto”:

• a spectacular fireworks display choreographed to music

This is an update to my previous blog You’re Invited: Celebrate Canada Day + Weekend Road Closures in Toronto June 29 – July 2, 2012.

There are more great events (most are FREE) to celebrate Canada Day on July 1 as follows:

• The annual Canada Day fireworks display at Ashbridges Bay Park, will start at 9:45 p.m.
  • This year’s fireworks is supported by Nissan.
  • Those planning to attend should use public transit.
  • Admission to the event is FREE.

• City parks, outdoor swimming pools, wading pools and splash pads will be open on Canada Day, as will City historic sites.
  • Most community centres will be closed on July 1, but some community centres in parks hosting Canada Day events will allow public entry for basic services.
  • All outdoor swimming pools, wading pools and splash pads will be open on Monday, July 2.
  • All community centres will be closed on July 2.
  • Online water quality reports for local beaches: http://www.toronto.ca/beach
  • Online schedules for swimming pools: http://www.toronto.ca/swim

• The Toronto Zoo is open this Canada Day long weekend.
  • Families can cool off in Splash Island, see one of the Zoo’s animal shows, or check out the Sharks at Stingray Bay.
  • Families can also visit the Zoo’s newest exhibit, the white lion cubs or see ‘Hudson’ the polar bear and the African penguin chicks.
  • The Toronto Zoo’s African Arts & Culture Festival starts on June 30 and will finish on September 3.
    • More details: http://www.torontozoo.com

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)

• The Toronto Transit Commission/TTC system will operate on a normal Sunday schedule on Canada Day, July 1.
  • Please click here for the details about taking the TTC to attend celebrations taking place across the city and GTA

• On Monday, July 2, all TTC routes will operate on their Saturday service schedules, starting at about 6 a.m.

A summary of the City’s Canada Day activities follows, organized by geographic areas of Toronto. Further details are available online where noted, and the public can also call 311 for information:

• East Toronto

  • Scarborough’s 45th Annual Canada Day Celebration will be held in Thomson Park, 1005 Brimley Rd., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    • More information is available by calling 416-396-7566.
      • Admission is FREE.
    • The celebration will include:
      • a free pancake breakfast
      • buskers
      • bouncy inflatables
      • live entertainment
    • Families can also:
      • enjoy the kids craft area
      • crafts show and sale
      • explore Thompson Park Memorial Museum
      • learn more about tennis
    • Seniors can participate in a Slo-Pitch ball game.
  • The 45th Annual Canada Day Parade:
    • More information is available by calling 416-396-7566.
      • Admission is FREE.
    • Begins at 4 p.m. west of the Scarborough Civic Centre on Brimley Road
    • Ends at Lawrence Avenue East and Brimley Road at about 5:30 p.m.
  • The fireworks display at Milliken Park, located at Steeles Road and McCowan Road, will begin at dusk.
    • For more information, call 416-396-7757.
    • Admission is FREE.

• North Toronto

  • The Old Style Community Picnic will be held at the Broadlands Community Centre and Park, 19 Castlegrove Blvd., from 1:30 to 4 p.m.
    • The picnic will be hosted by the O’Connor Hills Ratepayers Association in conjunction with Toronto’s Parks, Forestry and Recreation division.
    • More information is available at 416-395-7966.
    • Admission is FREE.

• South and Central Toronto

  • Hosted by East York Toronto Canada Day Corporation in co-operation with Toronto’s Parks, Forestry and Recreation division, East York’s 55th Annual Canada Day Parade motorcade will
    • start at 9:30 a.m. at the East York Town Centre, 45 Overlea Blvd.
    • then make its way to Dieppe Park, where the marching bands will start at 10 a.m.
    • The motorcade parade is scheduled to finish at noon at Stan Wadlow Park, 888 Cosburn Ave
      • Canada Day celebrations at Stan Wadlow Park will begin at 11 a.m. and finish at 11 p.m.
      • Residents will be able to enjoy:
        • bingo
        • live entertainment
        • a display of antique cars
      • The Kiwanis Pool will be open from noon to 7 p.m.
      • The fireworks display will start at 10:15 p.m. and the park will close at 11 p.m.
      • Admission is FREE

• West Toronto

  • The 13th Annual Toronto Ribfest will be held at Centennial Park, 256 Centennial Park Rd., throughout the Canada Day long weekend from June 29 to July 2, running from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily
    • Activities include:
      • 16 professional ribbers from Canada and the United States
      • live music
      • midway rides
    • A fireworks display will be held at 10 p.m. on July 1 to celebrate Canada Day
    • Admission and parking for the Toronto Ribfest and Canada Day Weekend event are FREE
    • More details: http://www.torontoribfest.com

• The Amesbury Canada Day Committee’s 29th annual Canada Day event
  • at Amesbury Park, 1507 Lawrence Ave. W., will start at 10 a.m.
  • Admission is FREE
  • Activities include:
    • a pancake brunch
    • barbecue
    • live entertainment
    • marketplace
    • strongman’s competition
    • activities for children
  • Fireworks display will start at 10 p.m.

Reminders:

• Members of the public are not allowed to set off fireworks in City of Toronto parks.

• Alcohol is not permitted in Toronto parks.

Toronto’s Historic Sites on Canada Day

• Colborne Lodge
  • Celebrate Canada Day in High Park
  • Visitors will be able to:
    • learn about High Park’s Aboriginal heritage
    • take a walking tour to learn about the park’s connection to the War of 1812
  • Other activities include:
    • discovering the history behind the park’s founding benefactors John and Jemima Howard
    • strolling around the Colborne Lodge’s beautiful gardens
    • learning how to play Victorian lawn games
  • Open on July 1 from noon to 4:30 p.m.
  • Closed on Monday, July 2
  • Admission is FREE
    • The Canada Day activities at Colborne Lodge are part of the Celebrate Canada events supported by the Government of Canada

• Fort York
  • You can celebrate Canada and commemorate the bicentennial of the War of 1812 at Fort York
    • Activities include: demonstrations of soldiering, musket firing, artillery and music from the 1800s
  • Visitors will be able to take a walking tour called “Toronto’s Changing Lakefront” from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
  • Other tours include a tour of soldiers’ barracks, officers’ quarters and historic kitchen
  • Kids will also be able to:
    • take part in a scavenger hunt
    • write a letter to a child 200 years in the future
    • learn songs from 1812
  • Visitors will also be able to make a Canada Day button to take home
  • Fort York is open July 1 and July 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Admission is FREE
    • The Canada Day activities at Fork York are part of the Celebrate Canada events supported by the Government of Canada

• Mackenzie House
  • You will be able to learn about the events that led up to the Upper Canada Rebellion, which celebrates its 175th anniversary this December
  • Events include a tour of the home of William Lyon Mackenzie and the opportunity to learn about the actions taken by Mackenzie and others to achieve reform
  • Visitors can print a special Canada Day postcard from the printing press
  • Guests will also be able to enjoy Canadian history-inspired songs throughout the day
  • Open July 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Closed on July 2
  • Admission is FREE
    • The Canada Day activities at Mackenzie House are part of the Celebrate Canada events supported by the Government of Canada

• Montgomery’s Inn
  • A special afternoon tea with treats made from the inn’s historic kitchen
    • afternoon tea is $10 plus tax per person
  • Special tours of the Inn will be on offer
  • Open Canada Day from 1 to 4 p.m.
  • Closed on July 2

• Scarborough Museum
  • At Thomson Memorial Park
  • Visitors will be able to sample special Canada Day treats or enter into the annual pie-eating contest
  • Open July 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Closed on July 2
  • Admission is FREE
    • The Canada Day activities at Scarborough Museum are part of the Celebrate Canada events supported by the Government of Canada

• Spadina Museum
  • Celebrate the Canada Day long weekend in 1920s style
  • Via a “Dominion Day” garden party and guests are encouraged to come dressed in their favourite 1920s costume
  • You will be able to:
    • learn 1920s dances with The Hogtown Swing Dance Studio
    • listen to the jazz music performed by Beverly Taft and the Swell Fellas Trio, and the Bob De Angelis Brass Quartet
    • solve a mystery set in the 1920s
  • Visitors will be able to purchase period-inspired refreshments and have a picnic on the lawn
  • Open on July 1 from noon to 4 p.m. and on July 2 from noon to 5 p.m.
  • Admission is FREE:
    • The Canada Day activities at Spadina Museum are part of the Celebrate Canada events supported by the Government of Canada

• Todmorden Mills
  • Celebrate Canada Day by bringing a picnic lunch and enjoying the day in the Don Valley
  • Visitors will be able to:
    • stroll around the historic homes dating from the mid-1800s
    • sample treats prepared in the historic kitchens
    • enjoy activities for children
  • Todmorden Mills will be open on Canada Day from noon to 4 p.m.
  • Admission is pay what you can

• Gibson House will be closed on Canada Day, July 1 and Monday, July 2

Please note that each of the Celebrate Canada events listed above has been supported financially by the Government of Canada:

• The City of Toronto acknowledges the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage.

More details: http://www.toronto.ca/culture/museums/featured-events.htm

Casa Loma

• Upstairs/Downstairs tours – visitors will be able to explore Casa Loma’s public and private spaces through a special tour

• Tours times:
  11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on July 1

• Cost of the tour is general admission

• Canada Day Archery workshops – A themed archery workshop will be available for adults on Saturday, June 30 and Sunday, July 1
  • June 30 workshop times: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and noon to 2 p.m.
  • July 1 workshop times: 2 to 4 p.m.
  • Workshop cost: $35 plus HST
  • Pre-registration is required by calling 647-725-1826

• Queen’s Own Rife Regimental Band – the band will perform for visitors starting at 3 p.m. in the Casa Loma gardens

• Visitors will also be able to enjoy a special Canada Day barbecue on July 1

• General admission to Casa Loma is $2 plus HST.

• More details: http://www.casaloma.org

City Services on Canada Day and July 2

• Toronto’s long-term care homes will remain open on Canada Day and on Monday, July 2.

• City child-care centres will be closed on Monday, July 2.

• All City emergency services and 24-hour operations will be provided as usual on Canada Day and on Monday, July 2:
  • For emergency response, call 911.

• City offices will be closed on Monday, July 2.

• The City’s 311 information service will be operating as usual.

• More information: http://www.toronto.ca

City of Toronto Contact Info:

Phone within Toronto city limits: 311

Phone outside city limits: 416-392-CITY (2489)
(can be used within Toronto if you can’t reach 311)

TTY customers: 416-338-0TTY (0889)
Fax: 416-338-0685
E-mail: 311@toronto.ca

If your matter is urgent, please call them. They are open 24/7.

Always call 911 for emergencies.

Happy 145th Birthday, Canada!

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